Overview
- Developer Tibor Blaho uncovered ad-related strings in ChatGPT’s Android beta (v1.2025.329) referencing “search ad,” “search ads carousel” and “bazaar content,” indicating tests of search and shopping features.
- Reports from The Information and the Wall Street Journal say Sam Altman declared a “code red” to improve ChatGPT’s day-to-day experience, delaying ads, AI shopping tools and the Pulse assistant.
- OpenAI has not confirmed an advertising rollout or timing, leaving the ad features in a tested-but-unannounced state.
- Altman has shifted from calling ads a last resort to saying he is not totally against them, and the company has recruited advertising talent as analysts highlight mounting costs and ongoing losses.
- Coverage ties the refocus to competitive pressure from Google’s Gemini 3 and flags concerns that paid placements or personalized targeting could affect user trust and privacy.